Gordon Albert ‘Pancho’ Walter R46833
The ACT Division was saddened to hear of the passing of Gordon ‘Pancho’ Walters. ‘Pancho’ was well known to many ACT members, and most would remember him from his time at ALBATROSS or the Shoalhaven Ex-Servicemen’s club where he was the ever-friendly manager for many years. Our thoughts and sympathy go to his family and friends during this difficult time.
Gordon (Pancho) Walter was born at Brisbane on 08 July 1929, where he joined the RAN on 29 January 1952. The ex-telegram boy had a distinguished 20-year career in the Navy. Training as an Airframe mechanic, he served on most of the Squadrons and on HMAS Sydney and Melbourne. He qualified as an aircrewman and spent the majority of his time as a winch operator on 723 Squadron with attachments to the survey vessel HMAS Moresby. As a winchman, he partook in many rescue operations and assisted in the gunnery training of the members of the RAN Helicopter Flights that went to Vietnam. For his efforts in these roles, he was awarded The British Empire Medal a month before he paid off.
Civilian life was not too far distant from his old mates as he took up employment at the Nowra Ex Servicemen’s Club and managed that establishment for almost 20 years, when he decided that retirement beckoned. To assist with this the club outfitted him with a set of river-fishing gear in recognition of the service he gave. He was also a welfare representative for the local RSL Club and could be seen regularly checking on the needs of the not so lucky hospitalised members. He had experienced a period of poor health later and was 79 when he died on 24 February 2009.
(Attached clipping Oct 1963) Another VIP trip, this time the Governor-General with LCDR Ken Douglas, into Lord Howe and Norfolk Island. Helicopters were still very much a novelty, and this mode of arrival would have been a very swanky way to arrive for ceremonial visits to such communities. Gordon “Pancho” Walter, bottom left, was also an aircrewman of renown and spent most of his career on 723 Squadron. (Image: Navy News 18 October 1963).
Some personal testimonies:
“I was particularly saddened that we farewelled an old friend, Pancho Walter, BEM, a great character who was liked and respected throughout the aviation world. I very much regretted that circumstances prevented my attendance at Pancho’s funeral, but I am assured that there was a good crowd and a fitting farewell.” David Farthing.
“LS ACM ‘Pancho’ Walter was the best aircrewman that I ever flew with both as an instructor to aircrewmen, and to pilots.” Ray ‘Beachball’ Godfrey
